Tyson Fury is willing to place a £1million bet on former rival Deontay Wilder knocking out Anthony Joshua if the pair touch gloves.
The 'Gypsy King' looked set to meet Joshua in a mega-fight this month having offered his long-term rival a shot at his WBC heavyweight crown, but the bout was shelved after 'AJ' missed the deadline. Joshua will instead look to pursue a number of options to regain his status in the division next year, which could see him take on leading WBC contender Wilder.
The 'Bronze Bomber' contemplated retirement following a second consecutive loss to Fury last year but has since returned with a win by brutally knocking out Robert Helenius. And Fury has admitted a potential showdown between the American and Joshua would be a great spectacle for fans.
"I'd like to see that fight but I don't think AJ has got the minerals to take that fight," Fury told Behind The Gloves when discussing a potential clash between his two rivals. "That's it, I just don't think he will fight anyone that will knock him out. I just don't, that is my personal opinion.
"Wilder will definitely knock out Joshua. I'd even have a bet on it. I'd have one million quid on it with anybody. £1million, even money, Wilder knocks Joshua out cold."
A fight between Joshua and Wilder has been a huge talking point for boxing fans, but the pair are yet to touch gloves despite holding talks over a clash.
It looked as if Wilder and Joshua would finally do battle in 2018 for the undisputed titles, but Joshua rejected an offer of $50million from his potential opponent's team. A fight then once again looked close to completion after a fresh round of talks, but Wilder instead elected to offer the challenge to Fury.
Who wins if the pair fight - Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder? Let us know in the comments section below.
Fresh contact was made by Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, to Wilder's team prior to Joshua's defeat by Oleksandr Usyk in August. It first fell on deaf ears, but Hearn has confirmed a new line of contact has been opened between the two camps.
Wilder and Joshua have stated their plans to take the fight next year, despite it appearing that the pair will accept alternative contests first. However, Wilder's manager, Shelly Finkel, has brought new hope that the fight could be staged next, and is interested in opening negotiations with Joshua's team again.
He told The Sun : "We might fight [Andy] Ruiz [Jr], because Joshua won’t fight us, but we will fight Joshua next. If Joshua is ready or willing to fight us next, that is what we want and we will give anything to fight him. This has been a five-year campaign and each time they always try to say we have avoided it. Right now is the 28th of November, we’re saying why not fight next? Let’s just make the fight."
